The Hindu : Sport / Squash : Ashour clinches title

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Ashour clinches title

G. Viswanath

— PHOTO: AFP

THRILLED: Ramy Ashour is ecstatic after winning the PSA Masters on Thursday.

Mumbai: Over the last week, Ramy Ashour has won many admirers with his courageous, inventive and remarkable stroke-play. On Thursday, he conquered Englishman Nick Matthew 11-6, 9-11, 11-9, 11-9 to win the $152,500 Punj Lloyd PSA Masters title.

From the first point that was determined in Ashour’s favour after a two-minute high-intensity rally, it was quite evident that the Egyptian would have to cut out the frills. Matthew had not dropped a game in four matches and was looking to win his fourth title of the year in seven finals.

Ashour won the opening game conceding six points, but committed too many errors in the second trying to squeeze out winners. Issued a conduct warning for racquet abuse at the end of the first game, Matthew led 10-6, but Ashour found his magic touch and even claimed a point for a positive drop at 9-10, but the referee awarded the World No. 4 Matthew the point for him to draw level.

The third and fourth games were pretty close. But, after fighting his way to 7-7 in the fourth game, Matthew appeared to run out of steam.

The title match was over in 79 minutes — the Englishman’s second loss to Ashour this year after the North American Open at Davenport in February.

There was gamesmanship aplenty from Matthew, resulting in play being stopped to wipe the floor.

For most part, Ashour remained unflappable, but he did seem to lose his cool once when Matthew asked for a point to be replayed because he claimed the ball was wet.

The win here was Ashour’s 33rd of the year.

Next week he plays in the Saudi Arabian Open at Al Khobar with the chance of ending the year as World No.1.

The result (final):

Ramy Ashour (Egy) bt Nick Matthew (Eng) 11-6, 9-11, 11-9, 11-9.

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